Articles Tagged with“Carol Finklehoffe”

Tom Scolaro’s entire legal career from law clerk to named partner has spanned 16 years with the firm. Starting as a research clerk while in law school, Tom, at age 41, has now rocketed to one of the leading trial lawyers statewide in Florida. He has numerous multi-million dollar verdicts and settlements throughout he state and has brought about significant safety changes in the areas of carbon monoxide injury prevention. In 2004, Ira Leesfield and Tom Scolaro tried the matter of Kemp v. American Medical Response Management, Inc. in Key West with a $2.1 million dollar verdict. “From that point forward, Tom has pulled together a string of accomplishments unparalleled by any lawyer of his generation,” says Managing Partner, Ira Leesfield.

In other news, Ira Leesfield has again been selected for the 2015 Best Lawyers as stated in the Wall Street Journal and Miami Herald. This is Leesfield’s fifth consecutive year of selection. Within the last decade Ira Leesfield’s lifetime commitment to the profession and his clients has been recognized with numerous awards, such as the Anti-Defamation League’s “Jurisprudence Award,” “Melvin Belli Award,” the American Jewish Committee “Judge Learned Hand Award,” and the Florida Justice Association’s “Al J. Cone Lifetime Achievement Award” and the “Crystal Eagle Award.” He was the first Florida recipient of the American Ort “Jurisprudence Award.” In 2013, the Florida Association of Women Lawyers (Miami-Dade Chapter) presented Ira Leesfield with the 2013 Philanthropist Award, recognizing his long-standing commitment to support rising female law students through scholarship grants. He has twice been awarded the prestigious Wiedman Wisocki medal for outstanding advocacy. He was nominated as “Lawyer of the Year” by the Trial Lawyers for Public Justice, and selected as one of America’s Top Ten Trial Lawyers. He is also rated by AVVO, SuperLawyers, Martindale-Hubbell,, U.S. News & World Report “Best Lawyers”, among others.

In October, the firm celebrated its 38th year of service to the State of Florida with the addition of Daniel Diaz-Balart, son of former Congressman Lincoln Diaz-Balart. He comes with four years of intensive trial experience at the State Attorney’s Office. Danny is now in court on a regular basis, and his efforts join the very significant accomplishments of Justin B. Shapiro and Carol L. Finklehoffe.

Miami-based trial law firm Leesfield Scolaro announces that it has awarded a $1,000 scholarship to third-year University of Miami law student Kayla Pragid. The annual scholarship is granted in association with the Florida Association for Women Lawyers (FAWL) and is presented each year to a law student that demonstrates the highest standards of excellence in both academics and contributions to the community.

Kayla is currently ranked in the top 2.5% of her class and has been recognized on the Dean’s List for all semesters enrolled. She is a member of the University of Miami Law Review and serves on its Moot Court Board. She has received numerous academic awards and is the Co-Founder and President of the Democratic Law Students Association and a past member of the Executive Board of the Miami Law Women Association.

Kayla has demonstrated a commitment to volunteerism, dedicating her time as a Writing Dean’s Fellow at the University of Miami, where she assists students with their writing skills. Additionally, she volunteers regularly at the Health and Elder Law Clinic, which provides free legal aid to indigent clients in the Miami area. There, her efforts are largely focused on assisting with guardianship issues and other legal matters on behalf of Miami’s Haitian community.

Kayla received a bachelor’s degree from Boston University. Having coped with both of her parents battling cancer Kayla is also passionately involved with the American Cancer Society and the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.

“Kayla was selected for this scholarship based on her exemplary academic performance and a demonstrated interest in helping improve the lives of those around her,” said Patricia Kennedy, a shareholder with Leesfield Scolaro who oversaw the scholarship selection process. Read more about Kayla Pragis here.

FAWL is a professional organization dedicated to promoting the advancement of women in the legal profession. Its membership is comprised of lawyers, judges, and professionals within the business community. This year marks Leesfield & Partner’s 16th consecutive year of participation.Continue reading